The lawyer of a Mexican drug cartel leader, now in U.S. custody, has refuted claims that his client willingly flew into the country, asserting that he was forcibly kidnapped by the son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who had evaded authorities for years, was apprehended alongside Joaquín Guzmán López at an airport in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Zambada's attorney stated that his client was ambushed, handcuffed, and forcibly taken onto a plane by Guzmán López, without any negotiation with the U.S. government.
Zambada, known for his ability to corrupt officials and negotiate with rivals, faces multiple drug charges in the U.S. Prosecutors have labeled him as the primary leader of a criminal enterprise responsible for importing large quantities of narcotics into the United States. His arrest could potentially trigger internal power struggles within the cartel and pave the way for a more violent, younger generation of traffickers.
The attorney declined to provide further details, mentioning that Zambada was lured into a meeting with Guzmán López under false pretenses. A U.S. law enforcement official, speaking on anonymity, confirmed that Zambada was deceived into flying to the U.S., boarding the plane under false pretenses. Zambada appeared in federal court in El Paso, where he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges and was remanded without bond.
The U.S. Justice Department and court records did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the attorney's claims. Zambada's next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday. The situation continues to unfold as the legal proceedings progress.
